Keeping your pet healthy is not only good for the animal—it can also reduce potential risks to the household.
How to Make Sleeping With Your Cat Safer
If you love having your cat beside you at night, there are several practical ways to reduce potential problems.
Keep up with veterinary care
Routine veterinary examinations can identify parasites, infections, dental problems, and other conditions before they become bigger issues.
Use appropriate parasite prevention
Follow your veterinarian's recommendations for flea, tick, and intestinal parasite prevention, particularly if your cat goes outdoors.
Keep the litter box clean
Wash your hands after cleaning the litter box, and avoid touching your face or eating immediately afterward without washing your hands.
Pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems should discuss litter-box precautions with their healthcare provider.
Wash bedding regularly
Regularly washing sheets, pillowcases, and blankets helps remove accumulated hair, dander, dust, and other particles.
Keep your cat away from your face
You don't need to panic if your cat occasionally gets close to your face, but allowing a cat to routinely sleep directly on your pillow increases close contact with saliva, dander, and allergens.
Keep vaccinations up to date
Follow veterinary recommendations appropriate for your cat's lifestyle and geographic location.
Treat skin problems promptly
If your cat develops bald patches, scaling, excessive itching, or suspicious skin lesions, have it checked by a veterinarian rather than allowing the problem to persist.
Should You Stop Letting Your Cat Sleep With You?
For most people, there isn't a universal medical rule saying that cats must stay out of the bed.
If you're healthy, don't have significant allergies, your cat receives appropriate veterinary care, and neither you nor the animal is experiencing a problem, sharing a bed can be a reasonable personal choice.
Some people also find that interacting with a pet provides companionship and relaxation. The emotional benefits of living with animals can be meaningful, although individual experiences vary.